Wolf Alice - Visions Of Life (Album Review)
A group who's impact has been huge in such a short space of time. Their critically acclaimed debut skyrocketed them into being one of the most impressive new acts around. Creating a lasting impression on just about everyone it touched.
In fact there's probably only Royal Blood who have made such an instant impact in recent years - in the same way Wolf Alice did when they released 'My Love is Cool' in 2015.
Two years on and 'Visions of Life' has a lot to live up to then...
Those same ethereal sounds return in a massive way immediately in the opening track 'Heavenward'. A brilliant shoegazey tune to kick off the record that sets a familiar theme going forward.
'Yuk Foo' was our first taste of the record - a hectic two minute something burst of energy that sticks out like a sore thumb, it's aggressiveness a welcome pace-shifting explosion as Ellie Rowsell screams unforgivingly 'You bore me, you bore me to death'.
Another cut from the same cloth as 'Yuk Foo' is 'Formidable Cool'. Again capturing a much brasher side to Rowsell's vocals combined with a stripped down distorted guitar and pounding drum beat it's much more animalistic, raw and just a fantastic release once again.
Those interjections of unpredictability in the tracks that see a much rougher side to the group, are what really make 'Visions of Life' stand out. Hidden between the magnificent otherworldly sombre pieces, offering something extra.
The album closer and title track, an epic eight minute opera - shifting pace and and tone throughout magnificently. Not many tracks of that length can leave you screaming for more afterwards - a truly fitting close to a quite spectacular record.
Wolf Alice will play a string of UK dates - including a stop at Manchester's o2 Apollo. Take a look at their full list of upcoming shows.
OCTOBER
Fri 27 PARIS La Maroquinerie Sat 28 BRUSSELS Botanique / Orangerie Mon 30 BERLIN Festsaal Kreuzberg
NOVEMBER
Wed 01 HAMBURG Mojo Thu 02 KOLN Luxor Fri 03 AMSTERDAM Melkweg Wed 08 BRISTOL O2 Academy Thu 09 MANCHESTER O2 Apollo Sat 11 GLASGOW Barrowland Mon 13 NEWCASTLE O2 Academy Wed 15 NOTTINGHAM Rock City Thu 16 BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Fri 17 NORWICH UEA Sat 18 LEEDS O2 Academy Mon 20 BRIGHTON Dome Tue 21 SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall Fri 24 LONDON Alexandra Palace Mon 27 BELFAST Ulster Hall Tue 28 DUBLIN Olympia